national treasure

national treasure (plural national treasures)

1. A place, object, or person that is deemed to be of value to an entire nation, usually because of cultural significance.
   • 2022 June 2, Anna Peele, “Inside ‘Love Island,’ From the Tragic Suicide Deaths to New Mental Health Protocols”, in Vanity Fair‎^[1]:

     [Marcel] Somerville was called a “national treasure” during the third season. But when he cheated on his Love Island partner, Gabby Allen, after leaving the villa, the U.K. media turned on him.

   • 2025 June 7, Jo Ellison, “Breakfast in bath—yes or eurgh?”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 21:

     But drinking in the bath always feels slightly performative, as though I'm auditioning for the role of beloved boozy singleton and UK national treasure, Bridget Jones.